Mostly these stories were told via ink on newsprint, delivered to doorsteps, milk bars and newsagents across the region.
Today, those same stories are more likely read on a screen. More than 80 per cent of our readers now access their local news digitally, through the masthead’s website, its mobile app or on social media, rather than in the printed paper.
A sea of deepfakes
At the same time, the volume of information Australians are exposed to has never been higher — and the reliability of it has never been more suspect. Our commitment to delivering independent, reliable news and information you can trust has taken on new urgency as artificial intelligence amplifies a sea of deepfakes, misinformation and ‘AI slop’, amid global upheaval, a rise in populism and economic volatility.
We know history repeats itself, and calmer times will ultimately return but, in the meantime, we are mindful of Rudyard Kipling’s advice to his son to “keep your head when all about you are losing theirs”. We will continue — in print, online and on mobile — to report honestly and fairly, celebrate local achievements, support worthy causes and strengthen the bonds of our community.
Thus we have invested in the tools that enable The News to meet readers where they already are: an app built to deliver breaking news and local information straight to readers' pockets, alongside a growing presence across the social platforms where many people increasingly spend their time.
We also understand how important the print product is to many in our community and we’ll keep publishing it for as long as there’s an audience for it and it remains commercially viable.
While there are no changes planned to the The News’ current print publishing schedule, we will keep encouraging our print readers to take advantage of all the cutting-edge features of The News app — with its instant updates, daily briefing, online games, great picture galleries, e-paper and archives — as part of their subscriber benefits.
Our new editorial leadership
Guiding this evolution is Daniel Dulhunty, recently appointed as the group’s chief content officer across the company’s editorial operations, working alongside Rob Mitchell, the new editor of The News.
Mr Dulhunty is an experienced editorial executive with a track record of digital transformation at media companies across Australia and New Zealand.
He played a key role in Australian Community Media’s evolution from a predominantly print-based publisher into a multi-platform operation, including a stint as the company’s managing editor across hundreds of regional news websites and digital platforms, from Ballarat to Bunbury, Newcastle to Naracoorte, and Launceston to Lithgow.
He was the Geelong Advertiser’s first online editor and is a former The Border Mail journalist of the year.
In 2012, he played a key role in The Examiner’s app launch, which won an INMA award for digital audience engagement.
Mr Mitchell brings his own deep newsroom pedigree from regional media, publishing and communications in Australia and his native New Zealand, including editor and deputy editor roles at the Manawatu Standard and the Taranaki Daily News, a stint as chief news director at Stuff, and a period as a senior writer at The Post in Wellington.
He has also worked in communications roles spanning health, agriculture and maritime sectors.
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